British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and the wider chemicals industry were represented at the Health and Safety Executive’s 2026 Annual General Meeting.
The meeting, held on 28 July, brought together HSE’s senior leadership and stakeholders, including representatives from BPCA and other members of the Alliance of Chemical Associations.
Attendees heard updates from HSE chair Sarah Newton, chief executive Sarah Albon and director of finance and planning David Murray.
HSE plays an important role in the professional pest management sector. It is responsible for regulating biocidal products and deciding which active substances can be approved for use.
Biocides performance update
During the meeting, HSE reported on its performance over the previous year.
The regulator said it had exceeded its objective of delivering 95% of planned biocide permissions within the relevant legislative timescales.
The target was included in HSE’s 2025-26 Business Plan and has been repeated for 2026-27. HSE expects to provide around 190 biocide permissions during the current year.
The legislative timelines were temporarily extended in 2022 to help HSE manage an increase in applications following the UK’s departure from the European Union and the loss of access to historic EU assessment reports.
During a question-and-answer session, BPCA chief executive Rosina Robson asked how HSE planned to continue improving its performance and work towards completing all biocide applications on time.
She also highlighted the impact that delays can have on businesses operating within the sector.
HSE was unable to provide a detailed response during the meeting, and BPCA said it would follow up with officials.
Potential UK–EU agreement
The proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement between the UK and European Union was also discussed.
The agreement is expected to cover the Biocidal Products Regulation, which governs the approval of active substances and the authorisation of biocidal products.
The Government has said an agreement could make trade easier, cheaper and more predictable for businesses.
Ms Newton said the negotiations had “the potential to help grow businesses working in the very important chemicals sector”.
She added that HSE remained committed to supporting the Government’s growth agenda.
Ms Albon said HSE was working with the Government, including Defra, to support the negotiations and consider how the UK could align more closely with Europe on biocides.
She said closer alignment could provide greater certainty for businesses, reduce regulatory barriers and support growth within the UK’s “critically important chemical industries”.
BPCA said it was broadly supportive of the proposed agreement but would await further details as negotiations continue.
Ms Robson said: “More consistent regulation between the UK and the EU could benefit manufacturers and their products, the pest professionals who use them and, ultimately, public health.
“It is important that any new arrangements support an effective and proportionate regulatory system while ensuring pest professionals continue to have access to the products they need.”
BPCA said it would continue engaging with HSE and government officials as the negotiations and wider plans for chemicals regulation develop.
